Mortenson Center Associates Program

Smart and Smarter: Leadership and Innovation in Libraries

A Professional Development Program for Library Leaders and Innovators

May 27 – June 23, 2020

The 2020 Mortenson Center Associates Program will offer individuals working in a library setting outside the United States an opportunity to explore current issues and trends in the library field and engage with librarians implementing cutting-edge programs and services.
2019 cohort. Click here to visit the Associates Blog.

Smart and Smarter: Leadership and Innovation in Libraries: A Professional Development Program for Library Leaders and Innovators will engage participants in learning about novel and inventive practices and services in areas such as:

Innovation by Design

Leadership, Communication and Managing Change

Smarter Strategies

Emerging Technologies

Digital and Print Collections and Repositories

Marketing and Advocacy

International Professional Networking

Applications for the 2020 Mortenson Associates Program, are due on 16 December 2019.

For more information and to apply, please download the informative flyer and read the information below

***Note: Please attach all the applications materials in a single email, and the application form in a single word or pdf file***

2020 Program Highlights

Seminars and Workshops which provide an overview of current trends in the field. Library experts will be invited to share their perspectives, offer expertise, and foster conversations on the themes of communication and leadership.

Tours of a variety of libraries, including academic, public, and school libraries. We may also visit the American Library Association headquarters in Chicago, Illinois and other sites of interest.

Networking with dynamic group of international colleagues during and post-program.

Participants will develop individual action plans, appropriate to their professional and institutional needs, and will receive post-program implementation review.

Each participant will receive a Certificate of Program Participation upon completion.

Scheduling to allow participants to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Library Association (ALA), if they wish.

The 2020 Annual Meeting will be in Chicago, IL, June 25-30. Arrangements and registration for the conference must be made separately and are not included in program costs.

Program Dates

Program activities will begin on 27 May 2020. The last day of program activities will be 23 June 2020.

16 December 2019: Application Deadline

The deadline for application submissions is 16 December 2019. All application materials must be submitted by 16 December 2019, including a fully completed application, CV, and Recommendation Letter. (Please note: Applications and materials received after 16 December 2019 will moved to the following year’s program for consideration in 2021.)

13 January 2020: Notification of Application Status

All applicants will be notified of application status by 13 January 2020 (end of business CST). Applicants accepted to the Mortenson Center Associates Program must send a non-refundable $USD 200.00 deposit by 14 February 2020 in order to hold their place in the program. Payment instructions will be provided upon acceptance, or after 13 January 2020.

Grant for professionals working in the Arab World

Application deadline for the 2020 Naseej Academy-SLA-AGC: 16 December 2019

A free grant jointly awarded by Naseej Academy and the Arabian Gulf Chapter of the Special Libraries Association (SLA-AGC) will enable two professionals in library, information and archive institutions in the Arab world to participate in the Mortenson Center Associates Program, which is designed to provide librarians and information specialists with the skills necessary to become leaders and trainers of their colleagues upon their return to their home institutions.